Alsen Lagoon Wastewater Treatment Plant, Alsen, North Dakota

Alsen Lagoon is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Alsen, a small town in Cavalier County, North Dakota, United States. The plant serves a population of 35 and operates as a lagoon system providing secondary treatment, which is typical for small rural communities in the region. As a secondary treatment facility, Alsen Lagoon meets the minimum requirements under the U.S. Clean Water Act for municipal wastewater treatment. The plant's designed capacity of 37.85 megaliters and annual discharge volume of 18.93 megaliters indicate it operates well below capacity, consistent with the small population served. The plant is not within 50 kilometers of any coast, reflecting its inland location. The treated effluent from Alsen Lagoon is discharged into local surface waters that ultimately drain into the Souris River basin, which flows north into Canada and eventually into Hudson Bay. The plant plays a critical role in protecting local water quality in this rural agricultural region, preventing nutrient and pathogen pollution in the watershed.

Alsen Lagoon discharges into the Souris River basin, which flows north through North Dakota into Manitoba, Canada, and eventually reaches Hudson Bay. The watershed supports agricultural activities and provides habitat for migratory waterfowl and fish species. Protecting water quality in this region is important for downstream ecosystems and drinking water sources.